FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to protective face coverings and masks, particularly for use in recreational shooting activity and/or sports, such as operating gel bead or paintball guns, or similar activities.
BACKGROUND
Toy gel bead guns and blasters are becoming increasing popular. Typically, these toy guns shoot hydrated gel beads, which are typically spherical projectiles formed of an absorbent polymer. An “empty” projectile (i.e., a gel bead that does not contain any liquid) are typically tiny pellets. These empty gel beads are then soaked in a liquid (such as water) for a certain amount of time, whereby during the soaking, the absorbent polymer absorbs the liquid into the interior of the gel bead, and expands the bead to a diameter of about 7 to 8 mm. Once expanded, the hydrated gel bead can be loaded into a toy gel bead gun and launched.
Battery operated gel bead guns and blasters are capable of launching beads at a velocity of 200 feet/second or more. Unlike hard plastic or foam projectiles, which are resilient, gel beads tend to disintegrate when they impact a target, thereby splattering the liquid contained in the bead. Moreover, due to the high speed of the launched bead, the splattered liquid tends to mix with the polymer as the time of impact.
Users of gel bead guns are typically encouraged to wear facial protection to prevent eye injury or injury to any other part of the user's face. Furthermore, since gel beads explode and splatter a polymer/water mixture on impact, face masks are used to keep the user's face dry and to prevent the splattered mixture from being inadvertently inhaled, ingested, or from entering the eyes of the user. This is critical to the safe use of gel bead guns. Furthermore, the gel bead polymer, or the water contained therein is typically not sterilized in any way. Thus, the inadvertent inhalation or ingestion of these components may introduce viruses or other harmful organisms into the body of the user.
At the same time, since users of gel bead guns typically use the guns while engaging in strenuous physical activity, such as running or chasing, it is also critical that protective face masks have some means to enable the user to breathe freely while doing so. Prior face masks focus on allowing users to breath freely by providing openings in the front of the mask through which air can pass.
For example, FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary conventional face mask on which is molded several openings on the front surface through which air can pass. As shown in the figure, the mask is worn by a user whereby the user's mouth is exposed directly behind the openings. While this helps the user breathe more freely, if a gel bead impacts the mask at one or more of the openings, the liquid inside the bead will splatter a mixture of polymer and water through the openings, which may result in the inadvertent inhalation or ingestion of the mixture.
FIG. 2 depicts a second exemplary conventional face mask which uses a wire mesh panel on the front that allows air to flow though the mask. With this mask, a user's nose and mouth are exposed directly behind the wire mesh. Like the mask shown in FIG. 1, the wire mesh mask of FIG. 2 also suffers from the deficiency whereby a gel bead that impacts the wire mesh panel will splatter a mixture of polymer and water that will pass through the wire mesh and impact the face of the user. Thus, the mask of FIG. 2 also presents a significant risk of inadvertent inhalation or ingestion of potentially dangerous material or organisms from the splattered mixture.
What is needed is a face mask for use by users of gel bead guns and blasters that allows free and unobstructed breathing during use while, at the same time, preventing splattered liquid and/or polymer from gel bead impacts from being inadvertently inhaled or ingested.
SUMMARY
An object of the present invention to provide a face mask that allows for unobstructed breathing by users of gel bead guns, while, at the same time, protecting those users from accidental inhalation or ingestion of splattered liquids or particles from exploding gel beads.
A face mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: goggles; a frame; and a front plate, wherein the goggles have a contoured lower surface and the frame has a contoured upper surface, wherein the contoured lower surface of the goggles is configured to be fitted and affixed to the contoured upper surface of the frame, wherein the front plate is configured to be fitted over and affixed to a front surface of the frame, wherein the front surface of the frame has formed thereon a plurality of first air slots and a plurality of bridges, each of the plurality of bridges formed adjacent to at least one of the first air slots, wherein the front plate has formed thereon a plurality of second air slots, wherein, when the front plate is fitted over and affixed to the front surface of the frame, each of the second air slots are aligned with one of the plurality of bridges formed on the front surface of the frame.
A face mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: goggles; a frame portion disposed below the goggles, the frame portion comprising a plurality of first air openings; and a front plate disposed over the frame portion, the front plate comprising a plurality of second air openings, wherein the plurality of first air openings are not aligned with the plurality of second air openings so that air follows an indirect path between the plurality of first air openings and the plurality of second air openings.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame portion has a contoured top surface and the goggles have a contoured bottom surface that corresponds with the contoured top surface of the frame portion.
In an exemplary embodiment, the front plate is configured to be fitted over and affixed to the frame portion.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame portion comprises a plurality of bridges with each bridge formed adjacent to a corresponding one of the plurality of first air openings.
In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of second air openings of the front plate are aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of bridges of the frame portion so that each of the plurality of bridges is disposed directly behind a corresponding one of the plurality of second air openings.
In an exemplary embodiment, the goggles are attached to the frame portion.
In an exemplary embodiment, the goggles are not attached to the frame portion.
In an exemplary embodiment, the front plate is attached to the frame portion.
In an exemplary embodiment, the front plate is attached to the frame portion by at least one snap-fit connection.
In an exemplary embodiment, the front plate is attached to the frame portion by adhesive.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame portion comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, and the plurality of first air openings are disposed in the lower portion.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame portion further comprises at least one additional opening disposed in the upper portion. In an exemplary embodiment
In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of first air openings and the plurality of second air openings are air slots.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and related objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following, detailed description of the preferred, albeit illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:
FIGS. 1 and 2 depict exemplary conventional face masks;
FIG. 3A depicts a front perspective view of a face mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3B depicts a front view of the face mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3C depicts a rear perspective view of the face mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3D depicts a rear view of the face mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3E depicts a side view of the face mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3F depicts a bottom view of the face mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 depicts a front perspective view of a frame of the face mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 depicts a front perspective view of a front plate of the face mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 6 depicts a front perspective view of goggles of the face mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
The present invention generally relates to face masks for use by users of gel bead guns or launchers.
The figures depict exemplary embodiments of a face mask having air passages that enable unobstructed breathing during use of a gel bead gun while preventing inadvertent ingestion or inhalation of any splattered liquid or polymer material during such use. The description of the present invention begins with reference to FIG. 3A.
FIG. 3A depicts a front perspective view of a face mask 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3A, face mask 300 includes a frame 310, a front plate 320, and goggles 330. In embodiments, frame 310, front plate 320, and goggles 330 are fitted together and affixed into a single mask that can be worn by a user.
As shown, frame 310 has a contoured upper surface that is shaped to fit snugly to a bottom surface of goggles 330. In embodiments, frame 310 and goggles 330 are affixed to each other to hold them together while a user wears face mask 300. For example, frame 310 and goggles 330 may be affixed through the disposal of an adhesive to either or both of the top surface of frame 310 and/or the bottom surface of goggles 330. In embodiments, frame 310 and goggles 300 can be held together using a snap, hook, or other combination of protruding or recessed elements that, when combined, hold the components together. In other embodiments, frame 310 and goggles 330 are not affixed to one another. In such embodiments, a user separately dons frame 310 and goggles 310. In these embodiments, however, goggles 330 and frame 310 are fitted snugly to one another to prevent any objects or liquids from penetrating the boundary between them.
Furthermore, although not visible in FIG. 3A, the front surface of frame 310 has formed thereon a plurality of openings, or air slots, through which air can pass. Interspersed between the air slots are a plurality of “bridges,” which are simply portions of the surface that do not have openings. As these openings are not visible in FIG. 3A, they will be described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 4.
Referring back to FIG. 3A, front plate 320 is fitted over the front surface of frame 310. According to embodiments, front plate 320 has formed thereon a plurality of openings, or air slots, through which air can pass. These air slots make it possible for the wearer of face mask 300 to breathe more freely. The air slots formed on front plate 320 are not aligned with the air slots formed on the front surface of frame 310. Rather, the air slots on front plate 320 are aligned with the bridges formed on the front surface of frame 310. This arrangement allows air to pass through both the air slots formed on front plate 320 as well as the air slots formed on the front surface of frame 310. However, since the air slots are not aligned, liquid that is spattered from an exploded gel bead, which may pass through the air slots on front plate 320, are less likely to pass through any of the air slots formed on the front surface of frame 310. This arrangement decreases the likelihood that the spattered liquid or polymer material will be ingested or inhaled by the wearer of face mask 300.
According to embodiments, front plate 320 can be affixed to the front surface of frame 310 by disposing an adhesive on the rear surface of front plate 320 and/or the front surface of frame 310. In embodiments, front plate 320 and frame 310 can be affixed to one another using snaps, hooks, or a combination of a protrusions and recesses that can be fit together. The seal between front plate 320 and frame 310 is not airtight. Rather, when front plate 320 is affixed to frame 310, the pieces fit together to provide an air space between the front plate and frame to allow inhalation and exhalation of air through the unaligned air slots.
As shown in FIG. 3A, face mask 300 is shaped generally to fit over the face of a user, in which the mask is held in place by a strap that is threaded through gaps on each end of goggles 330. As shown, the strap may be tightened or loosened according to the head size of the wearer.
In embodiments, frame 310, front plate 320, and goggles 330 may be formed by injection molding process and may be comprised of rubber, plastic, a polymer material, or any combination thereof. Each of frame 310, front plate 320, and goggles 330 may be flexible and resilient or, alternatively, may be rigid and inflexible.
FIG. 3B depicts a front view of face mask 300 depicted in FIG. 3A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B depicts frame 310, front plate 320, and goggles 330. The bottom surface of goggles 330 and the top surface of frame 310 are contoured to fit snugly together, as previously described in connection with FIG. 3A. Further, front plate 320 is fitted over and affixed to the front surface of frame 310, as previously described in connection with FIG. 3A.
The front view of face mask 300 shown in FIG. 3B illustrates the lack of alignment of the air slots formed on front plate 320 with the air slots formed on the front surface of frame 310. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3B, the solid “bridges” formed on the front surface of frame 310 are directly behind the air slots formed on front plate 320. As described earlier, this arrangement prevents liquid or polymer material from an exploded gel bead to pass through face mask 300 to the face, nose, or mouth of the wearer. Instead, the liquid and polymer material may pass through the air slots formed on front plate 320. The liquid and polymer material, however, would impact the solid bridges formed on the front surface of frame 310, and not the face, nose, or mouth of the wearer. At the same time, air would be able to pass through the non-aligned air slots of both front plate 320 and frame 310, allowing the wearer to breathe freely.
FIG. 3C depicts a rear perspective view of face mask 300, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Similar to FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIG. 3C shows frame 310, front plate 320, and goggles 330, except that the figure shows these components from the rear. FIG. 3C shows, from the rear, the air slots and bridges formed on the front surface of frame 310. Further, in the embodiments shown, frame 310 has formed thereon, just above the air slots and bridges, a large polygonal opening over which front plate 320 is fitted. The air slots formed on front plate 320, however, are not visible in FIG. 3C. This is due to the alignment of the air slots formed on front plate 320 with the bridges formed on frame 310. As shown in FIG. 3C, the air slots formed on frame 310 are situated directly behind solid portions of front plate 320. As previously described, this arrangement allows for the passage of air through air slots of front plate 320 and frame 310. Liquid and polymer material from an exploded gel bead, however, is prevented from passing though both sets of air slots due to the air slots of the front plate 320 being unaligned with the air slots of the frame 310, thereby preventing accidental inhalation or ingestion of this material by the wearer.
As shown in FIG. 3C, the strap of goggles 330 is threaded through gaps formed on the left and right ends of the goggles. In embodiments, the strap may be tightened or loosened to comfortably fit the mask to the head size of the wearer using a strap adjustment mechanism, such as, for example, a buckle (as shown) or hook-and-loop attachments, to name just two.
FIG. 3D depicts a rear view of face mask 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3D depicts a direct rear view of the components of face mask 300, namely, frame 310, front plate 320, and goggles 330, as opposed to a rear perspective view. A description of these components is provided above in connection with FIG. 3C and is not repeated here.
FIG. 3E depicts a side view of face mask 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Like the FIGS. 3A-3D, FIG. 3E shows face mask 300 as comprising frame 310, front plate 320, and goggles 330. Front plate 320 is affixed over the front surface of frame 310, whereby an air gap between front plate 320 and frame 310 (not visible in the figure) is formed so that air can pass through the unaligned air slots of front plate 320 and frame 310 while, at the same time, preventing the penetration of liquid or solid particles from an exploded gel bead through these unaligned air slots. Further, as shown in FIG. 3E, front plate 320 is affixed snugly around its edges to the front surface of frame 310, which prevents penetration of liquid or solid particles through the sides of front plate 320.
Finally, as shown previously in FIGS. 3A-3D, goggles 330 have a contoured bottom surface which is affixed to a corresponding contoured upper surface of frame 310.
FIG. 3F depicts a bottom view of face mask 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the bottom of frame 310 and front plate 320 are shown. According to embodiments, front plate 320 and frame 310 are affixed to one another via a plurality of members that protrude from the rear surface of front plate 320, whereby these members come into contact with members or surfaces that protrude from the front surface of frame 310. According to embodiments, an adhesive material may be applied to the protruding members and/or surfaces of front plate 320 and/or frame 310 to affix these components together firmly.
Alternatively, in embodiments, the protruding members of front plate 320 may be shaped to fit into corresponding grooves or recesses disposed on the front surface of the frame 310, forming a “snap fit” connection between the components. Other ways of affixing front plate 320 to frame 310 are contemplated and within the scope of the present invention, such as, for example, hooks or magnets deployed on one or more surfaces of front plate 320 and/or frame 310.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3F, an air gap is visibly formed between front plate 320 and frame 310. In embodiments, such an air gap permits the flow of air through the air slots disposed on front plate 320 and the air slots disposed on the front surface of frame 310. However, since the air slots disposed on front plate 320 and the front surface of frame 310 are not in alignment, liquid and solid polymer particles from an exploding gel bead are not permitted to pass through both front plate 320 and frame 310, thereby preventing these foreign objects from being accidentally inhaled or ingested by the wearer of face mask 300.
FIG. 4 depicts a detailed front perspective view of frame 310 of face mask 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown, frame 310 includes a plurality of air slots. In the embodiment shown, there are four such air slots, designated as air slots 311a, 311b, 311c, and 311d. Fewer or more air slots are possible and within the scope of the present invention.
Disposed between air slots 311 are a plurality of “bridges,” whereby one such bridge is identified in the figure and designated as bridge 312. According to embodiments, bridges such as bridge 312 are disposed between air slots such as air slots 311a-311d and may be made of material that is the same as that used to form the frame 310 (such as, for example, plastic, polymer, or rubber). Importantly, air does not flow through the bridges of frame 310. On the other hand, air does flow through air slots 311a-311d.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, frame 310 also includes a protrusion, or lip, 313, which is formed on the front surface of frame 310. In embodiments, a protrusion such as lip 313 provides a structure that front plate 320 can be fitted over and fastened to or adhered to, such that front plate 320 and frame 310 can be combined into a single lower portion of a face mask that can be worn by a user. In embodiments, an adhesive can be applied to lip 313, after which front plate 320 can be brought into contact with lip 313 to form a snug bond between front plate 320 and frame 310. In other embodiments, lip 313 can include therein a plurality of recesses (not shown in FIG. 4), in which protruding members on the rear surface of front plate 320 can be fitted (or “snapped in”) in order to affix front plate 320 to frame 310.
As shown in FIG. 4, according to embodiments, frame 310 can include a relatively large polygonal opening (as compared to the air slots), such as opening 314. In embodiments, opening 314 is disposed above the air slots 311a-311d and bridges 312, and is at a point approximately where the nose of the wearer is. When front plate 320 is affixed to frame 310, opening 314 is completely covered by face plate 320.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, frame 310 has a contoured top surface 315. As previously described, surface 315 is contoured to fit snugly with a pair of goggles, such as goggles 330, described and depicted in connection with FIG. 3A. In embodiments, surface 315 can have an adhesive disposed thereon in order to affix a pair of goggles, such as goggles 330 to the top of frame 310. In other embodiments, surface 315 can have disposed thereon projections or recesses that are configured to attach to corresponding recesses or projections on a pair of goggles. In still other embodiments, surface 315 can have disposed thereon hooks or magnets that allow for the affixing of goggles to frame 310.
Further, the contour of surface 315 shown in FIG. 4 is exemplary. Many other contours and curvatures are possible, so long as those contours and curvatures allow for a snug fitting of a pair of goggles to frame 310 via surface 315.
FIG. 5 depicts a front perspective view of front plate 320 of face mask 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown, in embodiments, face mask 320 is adapted to be fitted over and affixed to a mask frame, such as frame 310 depicted in FIG. 4. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 includes a plurality of air slots, such as air slots 321a-321j. In embodiments, these air slots 321a-321j are disposed on the lower portion of front plate 320. Moreover, when face plate 320 is fitted over frame 310, air slots 321a-321j are not aligned directly with air slots 311a-311d on the front surface of frame 310. Rather, air slots 321a-321j are aligned with bridges 312. In embodiments, the air gap between front plate 320 and frame 310 allows for the passage of air through air slots 321a-321j and then through air slots 311a-311d on frame 310. The lack of alignment between air slots 321a-321j and 311a-311d, however, serves to prevent the passage of liquid or solid polymer fragments from an exploded gel bead, for example, from passing through both air slots 321a-321j on front plate 320 and air slots 311a-311d on the front surface of frame 310. As previously described, this lack of alignment minimizes the chances of accidental ingestion or inhalation of these foreign substances from an exploded gel bead while, at the same time, permits the free flow of air through the air slots, thus permitting the wearer of face mask 300 to breathe more easily.
As shown in FIG. 5, front plate 320 also has a contoured upper surface 322, as well as a plurality of projections 323. Upper surface 322 is shaped, in embodiments, to fit snugly over a projection or surface on the front of frame 310, such as, for example, lip 313. Moreover, according to embodiments, projections 323 (only one of which is identified in FIG. 5) are disposed around the outer edges of front plate 320. Projections 323 are adapted to come into contact with lip 313 of frame 310. In some embodiments, an adhesive can be applied to projections 323 so that these projections (and, hence, front plate 320) are affixed to the portions of lip 313 that they come into contact with. In alternative embodiments, projections 323 can be fitted into recesses disposed within lip 313 of frame 310, so that front plate 320 can be “snapped on” to the front surface of frame 310. Many other techniques for affixing front plate 320 to frame 310 are possible, such as, for example, using hooks or magnets, and such techniques are within the scope of the present invention.
It should be noted that the front surfaces front plate 320 and frame 310 are, in embodiments, respectively curved to ensure that an air gap is formed when these components are affixed to one another.
FIG. 6 depicts a front perspective view goggles 330 of face mask 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In embodiments, goggles 330 have a bottom surface 332 that is adapted to be fitted snugly to an upper surface of frame 310, such as surface 315 shown in FIG. 4. Like surface 315, surface 332 can have disposed thereon an adhesive such that goggles 330 can be affixed to frame 310. In other embodiments, surface 332 can have disposed thereon protrusions and/or recessed adapted to be joined with corresponding recesses and/or protrusions on surface 315. Further, the contour of surface 332 shown in FIG. 6 is one embodiment. Many other contours and curvatures are possible so long as surface 332 can be fitted snugly to surface 315.
Goggles 330 also includes a protective lens or shield 331, which, in embodiments, provides eye protection from projectiles or fragments. Shield 331 is preferably made of a clear transparent plastic or polymer that can be seen through and from which polymer fragments and liquid can be easily cleaned. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, shield 331 is a single pane of transparent plastic or polymer material. In other embodiments, shield 331 can comprise two separate transparent panels, each of which protects an eye of the wearer, similar to dual lens eyeglasses. In embodiments, the material of shield 331 can be coated or treated with chemicals, such as, for example, anti-fog treatments or special tinting for use in bright sunlight.
Goggles 330 also includes a strap 333. As shown, strap 333 is used to fasten goggles 330 (and face mask 300) to the head of the wearer. Strap 333, in embodiments, is threaded through vertical openings on the left and right side posts of goggles 330. Strap 333 also includes a sliding buckle that allows the strap 333 to be tightened or loosened in accordance with the head size of the wearer of face mask 300.
An alternative embodiment of the face mask, not shown, has a solid front plate and a back plate having a plurality of apertures to allow air to pass through. The front and rear plates are mounted to but spaced from each other to allow an air passage between the plates.
Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein.
Patent Application
20250049154
